Inouye, Akaka react to Obama's support of same-sex marriage

President Barack Obama endorsed the right of same-sex couples to marry on Wednesday. Obama became the first U.S. president to back the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry.

Hawaii's congressional delegation was quick to respond to Obama's endorsement.

Hawaii Senior Senator Daniel Inouye said, "I look forward to working with the President to ensure his position on marriage equality becomes law in this country."

Senator Daniel Akaka also supported the president saying, "I am proud of President Obama for taking this courageous stand, and I know his upbringing in diverse Hawaii helped to shape his understanding that everyone should be treated with equality."

Below are the complete statements from Senator Akaka and Inouye.

Senator Daniel K. Inouye issued the following statement:

"I am very pleased that the President affirmed his support for marriage equality. I think everyone who wishes to enter into marriage and start a life together should be allowed to do so, regardless of sexual orientation. How can we call ourselves the land of the free, if we do not permit people who love one another to get married? I look forward to working with the President to ensure his position on marriage equality becomes law in this country," said Senator Inouye.

Senator Daniel K. Akaka issued the following statement:

"I strongly agree with the President that all Americans deserve the equal opportunity to have their loving committed partnerships legally recognized as marriage, with the same rights and responsibilities. I am proud of President Obama for taking this courageous stand, and I know his upbringing in diverse Hawaii helped to shape his understanding that everyone should be treated with equality.

"No religious institution should ever be forced to conduct a ceremony that is against their beliefs, but as a legal matter all Americans deserve the same rights. As someone who has been happily married for 64 years, I believe every American who loves another person should have the same right to form the bond of marriage and commit to living a life together, for better or for worse."

In 2015, the Federal government passed the Every Student Succeeds Act, allowing states to limit the amount of time that students take standardized tests. A similar bill is traveling through the Hawaii legislature.

In 2015, the Federal government passed the Every Student Succeeds Act, allowing states to limit the amount of time that students take standardized tests. A similar bill is traveling through the Hawaii legislature.